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Breeding success of northern New Zealand dotterels (Charadrius obscurus aquilonius) following mammal eradication on Motuihe Island, New Zealand

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2011

  • Author(s)

    H.R. Neate; J.E. Dowding; K.A. Parker; M.E. Hauber

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    58, 1

  • Pagination

    17-21

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

breeding success; Charadrius obscures; mammal eradication; New Zealand Dotterel


Breeding success of northern New Zealand dotterels (Charadrius obscurus aquilonius) following mammal eradication on Motuihe Island, New Zealand

Notornis, 58 (1), 17-21

H.R. Neate; J.E. Dowding; K.A. Parker; M.E. Hauber (2011)

Article Type: Paper

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Population size and breeding success of northern New Zealand dotterels (Charadrius obscurus aquilonius) were studied on the recently mammalian predator-eradicated Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. The island’s entire breeding population was monitored during the austral breeding season from Nov 2007 – Feb 2008. Nine breeding pairs were identified and their breeding success recorded. A total of 41% of nesting attempts produced fledglings and 1.22 chicks fledged per pair for the season; each egg had a 38% chance of survival to fledging. The breeding success of this endemic shorebird was twice as high on Motuihe Island as that at unmanaged mainland sites, and is comparable to levels of breeding success at other managed sites with mammal trapping or predator-proof fencing. The only identified cause of nesting failure over the breeding season was avian predation. Suggestions are made to maintain and enhance breeding success at this locality.